Redefining Equity in the Global Resource Value Chain
Duafe bridges Africa and the world through natural body care, from soil to shelf. Rooted in heritage and timeless in care, our products are thoughtfully crafted to nourish your skin.
Duafe Body Care isn’t just about ashy knees and elbows. We are a social enterprise rooted in health and equity.
The global shea butter market is valued in the billions, yet the women who harvest and process shea across West Africa often receive only a small fraction of the value created. This lack of equity mirrors a broader issue within the beauty industry.
Research shows that nearly 80% of personal care products marketed to Black women contain moderate-to-high hazard ingredients, and many products labelled as “natural” still rely on potentially harmful additives or contain little that is truly natural at all.
Our Mission
Our mission goes beyond body care. We are reimagining what equity looks like in the beauty industry by centring African ingredients, stories, and makers. From soil to shelf, every product is made with purpose — supporting local manufacturing, fair pay, and opportunities for youth across the African continent.
Our Why
Africa provides a third or more of the world’s key minerals. Yet the continent contributes only a small share to final global goods, with product value-added through production happening elsewhere.
This keeps African nations trapped in low-profit extraction models, rich in resources but poor in manufacturing influence.
At the same time, Africa is home to the largest youth population in the world, with over 60% under the age of 25.
By 2050, one-third of the world’s youth will live on the continent.
Yet many of these young people face unemployment rates above 30%, which leads to: Social unrest, Migration pressures, Deepening inequality, Low economic growth and limited job creation.
Our Commitment
Duafe is proudly Black woman-owned and is currently handmade in Canada.
But this is only the beginning.
Our long-term vision is to transition Duafe’s production to Ghana by 2040, building supply chains that are rooted in the continent, harnessing its resources, employing its youth, and owning every step from soil to shelf.
We believe that beauty is not just about looking good, it’s about reclaiming power, preserving legacy, and celebrating identity.
Whether you are African, part of the diaspora, or someone who wishes to engage with African-inspired body care respectfully, Duafe welcomes you into a space where beauty is rooted, intentional, and proud
Theory Of Change Statement
If African Resources are not just extracted but developed into market-ready products within the continent
Then Africa can move beyond low-profit resource extraction models toward equitable participation in global markets through industrialization and job creation
because true economic growth begins when African nations hold power across the entire production chain, from soil to shelf
So that future generations inherit thriving, self-sustaining economies built on ownership, not exploitation.
